Members - Commissioner and Chair, Joseph A. Lavalle; Commissioners Kip McFatridge and Kevin Spearing; Paul E. Purtell, Director of Code Enforcement; David Elsier, Director of Public Works I. Moment of Silent Meditation II. III. IV. Pledge of Allegiance Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Commissioner and Chair Lavalle at 7 pm. Presentations/Announcements - Nothing to report. V. Roll Call: Commissioner and Chair, Lavalle; Commissioners McFatridge and Spearing. Also present were: James Hersh, Township Engineer; David Elsier, Director of Public Works; Paul E. Purtell, Director of Code Enforcement; David Dodies, Township Manager; Kate Harper, Township Solicitor; James Faber, Township Architect; Joe DeSantis, Township Transportation Engineer VI. VII. Approval of Minutes April 10, 2017: The meeting minutes were unanimously approved as submitted. Acceptance and Approval of the following reports: A. Code Enforcement Department Reports Nothing to report. B. Public Works Department Report: Mr. Elsier reported on the milling and paving project PennDOT will perform on Route 63 (Moreland Road). A revised start date is expected and will be posted to the Township website. Milling and paving work will be completed at night. Commissioner Spearing commented that the milling and paving project was to be originally coordinated between the PennDOT bridge restorations and Route 63 detour. C. Public Works Recycling Report Nothing to report. D. Engineer s Report: Commissioner Lavelle inquired about the status of the "Welcome to Upper Moreland" sign to be installed on the Thompson Lexus property. Mr. Purtell reported that the sign was shifted 20 feet north to avoid removing trees located on Turnpike property that obstructed the view. A foundation inspection was performed today and the sign will be erected shortly. Commissioner Spearing inquired on the status of the Malvern Institute construction trailers. Mr. Hersh reported that no work is being performed and Mr. Purtell reported that the trailers are gone. E. Landscape Architect s Report: Mr. Faber provided updates to the projects listed in the report. Commissioner Lavelle commented about relocating trees from the sidewalk at Millers Ale House. Mr. Faber stated that three trees will be moved to allow space for the sidewalk. Commissioner Spearing inquired about the Middle School stormwater management project. Mr. Hersh reported that a review is pending on the grading application for the stormwater basin retrofit. F. Traffic Engineer s Report: -1-
Mr. DeSantis commented on the report and asked Commissioner Spearing to clarify his request for a right turn truck restriction at the corner of Easton and Blair Mill Roads. Ms. Harper announced that Mr. DeSantis requests an executive session with the Board of Commissioners at the June 5, 2017 Regular Meeting regarding implementation of Act 209. Commissioner Spearing inquired about the left turn lane north of the intersection of Route 611 and Blair Mill Road and if PennDOT would provide funding. Mr. Hersh explained that Horsham Township had provided its own substantial funding for a survey and conceptual design. Commissioner Lavelle inquired about the timeline to respond to the 2040 Implementation Grant as the Township awaits Petrucci's Land Development Plan. Mr. Dodies provided the Board of Commissioners with a copy of the letter sent to Montgomery County and summarized that he asked for an extension on the expiration of the Grant and that the funds be held in abeyance if Petrucci should not progress, thereby allowing the Township an opportunity to use the money for the intersection and pedestrian enhancements. G. Upper Moreland School District Construction/Other - Nothing to report. H. Horsham Land Redevelopment Authority {HLRA} to monitor status of redevelopment of former Willow Grove Naval Air Station property: Nothing to report. I. Willow Grove Chamber of Commerce: On May 17, 2017 from 8-10 am, there will be a breakfast meeting in the Willow Grove Mall Food Court for a charge of $15. Residents and business owners are invited to attend. J. Environmental Advisory Council (EAC): Lynnette Saunders reported that the EAC seeks approval from the Committee to implement the DEP Grant for use by Upper Moreland Outdoor Environmental Education Center to install river rock, a rain barrel and a bridge over the swale at the back of the Library. Additionally, they would use the Grant to develop educational materials for the Upper Moreland Intermediate School's e-club students as well as residents. The EAC will participate in Community Day at the Library on June 17, 2017. The EAC seeks to provide feedback to the Committee regarding plantings proposed by new developments in the Township. Commissioner Lavelle invited Ms. Saunders to exchange contact information with Mr. Faber, Township Landscape Architect, thereby initiating a relationship to promote native plantings in land developments. The Committee recommends that the EAC attend the next Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting on May 22, 2017 to discuss the DEP Grant and acquire recommendations from Patrick Stasio, Director of Parks & Recreation. In the interim, the Committee agreed that the EAC can begin utilizing the DEP Grant. Commissioner Lavelle noted the recent success of grant applications and thanked everyone for their hard work. Commissioner McFatridge suggested that Mr. Dodies make a note to add a 2018 budget for EAC projects. K. Pennsylvania Review Advisory Council: The Council will meet again after this Summer. L. Upper Moreland Historical Commission - Nothing to report. VIII. Land Development/Subdivision: A. The Committee recommends the Board of Commissioners at their June 5, 2017 Regular Meeting consider the approval of a resolution granting approval of a request from New -2-
Century Associates Group, LP, for a waiver of land development for a proposed Reel Cinema at the Marketplace at Huntingdon Valley located on 2010 County Line Road and directed Ms. Harper to prepare appropriate resolution. Representatives for New Century Associates Group described the reallocation of existing building space for use as a movie theater. Commissioner Spearing commented on hours of operation, lighting, serving alcohol, and security. The Developer stated that they will comply with requirements of the Township. Commissioner McFatridge expressed concerns on parking and traffic circulation. Commissioner Lavelle asked that handicapped parking and crosswalks with yellow striping be added in the plans. The Developer agreed to clearly identify them in the plans. Karen Houck, Chair of the Revitalization Task Force Committee, commented that this development concept will create a thriving destination in the Township. B. The Committee recommends the Board of Commissioners at their June 5, 2017 Regular Meeting consider the approval of a resolution granting approval to BPG Office VI Maryland Avenue LP for amendments to a previously approved land development plan to construct an apartment complex at 2405 Maryland Road and directed Ms. Harper to prepare appropriate resolution. Neil Stein from Kaplan Stewart and Seth Shapiro from Barton Partners presented updated renderings and minor modifications to their land development plan. C. Preliminary/Final Land Development/Subdivision Approval request from Freedom Valley YMCA. John Grosser, Attorney for the YMCA, initiated a working session conversation and introduced Matt Witters of Eustace Engineers who discussed a detailed overview of the land development plans while addressing comments outlined in the Township Consultants' review letters. Guy DiMartino of Traffic Planning and Design discussed the aerial site diagrams and the proposed traffic plan. Commissioner Valenza expressed concern regarding pedestrians crossing over a culvert located on Pennypack Road to the left of Pennypack Park. Commissioner Lavelle asked if PennDOT's review letter was received by the Township's Traffic Planning and Design and a representative stated that he would provide a copy. Mr. Witters began a review of 31 waiver requests and Mr. Faber added explanations. Commissioner Valenza commented on Waiver Request #7 and stated that he is in favor of creating a four-foot wide shoulder in the right-of way on Davisville Road that would allow pedestrians to safely walk or ride bikes to the YMCA. Commissioner Spearing commented on Waiver #8 asking about the amount of parking spaces as a result of reducing the overall impervious footprint. Commissioner Lavelle stated that these questions are related to Waiver Request #9. Commissioner McFatridge commented on Waiver #9 and asked to confirm need for additional parking spaces. Mr. Witter explained two reasons: first, additional parking meets the Ordinance requirement based on building use square footage, and secondly, in anticipation to avoid backup parking on public streets based on experience at the Ambler and Havertown facilities. Commissioner Valenza announced a reminder to the Committee that the meeting is past the Township Ordinance's requirement to adjourn at 11 pm. -3-
Commissioner Lavelle stated that the Committee will proceed tonight to finish review of Waivers 10, 11, 12 and 13 which are landscape-oriented issues. He stated that a discussion will continue on the remaining Waiver Requests at the next Community Development Meeting on June 12, 2017. Mr. Grosser thanked the Commissioners and reminded everyone to attend the YMCA Informational Town Hall Meeting in the Council Room of the Township Building on May 17, 2017 at 6 pm. IX. Old Business: A. Township Storm Water Management Improvement Implementation Plan: Commissioner Lavelle reported that this item will be continued for discussion to a future meeting. B. Veterans Memorial Park Fountain: Mr. Faber reported that he had several communications with Commissioner Lavelle and requests to continue discussion to a future meeting. X. New Business: A. The Committee recommends the Board of Commissioners at their June 5, 2017 Regular Meeting, consider the approval of a resolution approving a request by Upper Moreland School District for a waiver of time limit and number of storage units, construction/office trailers and dumpsters for the Upper Moreland High School construction project and directed Ms. Harper to prepare the appropriate resolution. Mike Marella of KCBA Architects discussed the proposed layout of trailers. Construction trailers will be installed the Monday after the June 7, 2017 Graduation with completion scheduled for April 2018. The football turf field on the upper side will be completed in time for August 15, 2017 athletic practice. Commissioner Lavelle expressed concern for appropriate construction security measures during weekday and weekend hours. Mr. Marella confirmed that construction fencing will be secured and comply with any requests from the Committee. B. Ms. Harper discussed the current Right-of-Way and Zoning Ordinances related to the Public Utility Commission s ruling on wireless facilities in municipal rights-of-way: The Committee directed Ms. Harper to prepare a draft ordinance to permit Distributed Antenna Systems (D.A.S) for consideration at the June 12, 2017 CDC Meeting. Janet Colleran and John Shive from Crown Castle explained how their cell towers differ from traditional towers as well as the benefits of their technology services and equipment. They provided a map for review of 38 sites in Upper Moreland Township. Mr. Shive offered to have Crown Castle host a community workshop. The Committee was agreeable to the workshop which can be coordinated at a future date, once the Committee goes through the process of editing an ordinance. The Committee asked that Crown Castle continue communications with Mr. Dodies. XI. Other Items: A. James Faber, McCloskey & Faber, P.C. Proposed changes to the Township Landscape Ordinance with respect to the use of Native Plant Species: The Committee directed Ms. Harper to prepare a draft ordinance incorporating use of native plant species to be part of Township Landscape regulations for consideration at the June 12, 2017 or July 17, 2017 Community Development meetings. Mr. Faber reviewed discussed pros and cons of incorporating native plant materials in new land developments and subdivision applications, encouraging adaptive plant species, and removing invasive species. -4-
Commissioner Spearing asked to incorporate incentives in the Ordinance that advocate use of native plant materials and discourages waiver requests. Former Commissioner Richard Booth made a two-fold request inquiring if specifications could be included in the Ordinance that provides a list of recommended plants by new land development and a list of invasive plants designated as an illegal use. Lynnette Saunders commented that the EAC supports using 100% native plant species especially in the stormwater basin areas, because they supply the natural habitat. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. Redevelopment: A. Redevelopment Reports 1. Upper Moreland Revitalization Task Force: Karen Houck, Chair, reported on the draft comprehensive plan entitled, "Upper Moreland 2040". The next meeting is Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 7 pm in the Council Room of the Township Building. The meeting is open to the public. Commissioner Spearing mentioned the loss of key personnel on the Task Force, and especially noted the loss of David Joss. Ms. Houck stated that the Task Force is not seeking replacements at this time. B. Old Business: C. New Business - Nothing to report. Visitor Comments - Nothing to report. Commissioner Comments: Nothing to report. Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned at 11:07 pm. Respectfully submitted by Kathleen Kristire. -5-